Root Canal Problem  Changing Your View Of Root Canals

A root canal problem is one that nobody is thrilled about having. In fact a root canal provokes a very high level of irrational nervousness. That's because root canals are a very misunderstood dental procedure.

The myths about root canals have caused many people to have their tooth removed instead of being saved through endodontic treatment (root canal).

Here are some of the myths and facts about root canals. Hopefully, this information will help you understand your root canal problem and eliminate some of your fears.

Myth #1: Your tooth can’t need a root canal if it doesn’t hurt. Many people are surprised when their dentist tells them they need a root canal even when they’ve had no pain.

Fact: Even though you have no pain you can have an abscess. Tooth pain may not occur as the soft tissue (dental pulp) on the inside of your tooth becomes infected. Your dentist may see a small area in the gum where there is drainage from the abscess. Tooth infection can then be verified with a dental x-ray.

Myth #2: Endodontic treatment is a painful procedure. Root canals are notorious for causing unbearable pain. You’ve probably heard stories of these painful experiences.

Fact:  The vast majority of root canals are performed painlessly. These just don’t get talked about as much as the painful ones. You do need to remember that some teeth receiving endodontic treatment are already hurting. The root canal problem is causing the pain and not the root canal treatment. Advancements in dentistry have resulted in better anesthetics to get your tooth very numb prior to treatment even if you have a bad abscess. Tooth cleaning and filling materials have also greatly improved to make endodontic treatment a simple dental procedure.

Myth #3: Root canals take forever to complete. You may have heard someone tell of how many hours they spent in their dentist’s chair to have their root canal problem remedied.

Fact: Most root canals can be completed in one or two visits that last 1-2 hours. There are some teeth that take longer to complete for various reasons. For example, you may have a very bad abscess. Tooth drainage will prevent the completion of treatment until the drainage is resolved.

Myth #4: Root canals don’t work. You may have heard the story of someone who had one or more root canals done on a tooth unsuccessfully.

Fact: Millions of teeth are saved each year by having endodontic treatment. Not every root canal problem can be fixed. For example, a tooth with a vertical root fracture will eventually need to be extracted. But 95% of root canals are successful. Root canals are a very safe and predictable procedure.

Myth #5: Root canals are expensive.

Fact: Well, I can’t completely dispel this myth. It is expensive to save a tooth with a root canal. Crown procedures after the root canal also add to the total investment. I say investment because that’s really what it is. You are investing in your health when you save a tooth.

Myth #6: I need to be fearful of root canals.

Fact: You really don’t need to be afraid when you have a root canal problem. That’s why I wrote The Relaxed Root Canal.  

In this short book I answer over 80 of the most commonly asked questions I’ve heard in 20+ years as a root canal specialist.

I discuss this question in chapter 5. I also give you my recommendation for what to do if you get a NO answer.

For more information please CLICK HERE.

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